NameCensus.

UK surname

Kwong

A Chinese surname meaning "broad, extensive, wide," or referring to a person from Guangdong or Guangxi provinces.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Richmond upon Thames, West Pilton and Salford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kwong is 298 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

298

2016, ranked #14,801

Peak year

2011

298 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 298 in 2016, ranked #14,801.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Kwong surname distribution map

The map shows where the Kwong surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Kwong surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kwong over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 180 #18,812
1998 modern 192 #18,561
1999 modern 216 #17,364
2000 modern 227 #16,792
2001 modern 224 #16,716
2002 modern 233 #16,590
2003 modern 222 #16,942
2004 modern 233 #16,471
2005 modern 242 #15,987
2006 modern 240 #16,177
2007 modern 243 #16,243
2008 modern 265 #15,425
2009 modern 281 #15,098
2010 modern 294 #14,940
2011 modern 298 #14,666
2012 modern 280 #15,248
2013 modern 294 #14,961
2014 modern 293 #15,095
2015 modern 294 #14,971
2016 modern 298 #14,801

Geography

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Where Kwongs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Richmond upon Thames, West Pilton, Salford, Mansfield and Harlow. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Richmond upon Thames 001 Richmond upon Thames
2 West Pilton City of Edinburgh
3 Salford 022 Salford
4 Mansfield 004 Mansfield
5 Harlow 006 Harlow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kwong

These lists show first names that appear often with the Kwong surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kwong

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kwong, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Kwong surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Kwong household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Kwong is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kwong is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kwong falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kwong is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

This describes the area pattern most associated with Kwong, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kwong

The surname Kwong originates from China and has its roots in the Cantonese dialect spoken in the Guangdong province. It is believed to have originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and is a transliteration of the Chinese characters 鄺 or 鍧.

Kwong is derived from the ancient Chinese word "Kuang", which means "bright" or "shining". This name was likely given to individuals who possessed qualities of brilliance, either in intellect or character. Alternatively, it may have been a reference to someone's physical appearance or occupation related to light or illumination.

Historical records indicate that the Kwong surname first appeared in the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) in the area around the city of Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton. During this period, the surname was also spelled as Kuang or Kwong, reflecting the variations in romanization.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Kwong was Kwong Yuen-Shun, a renowned scholar and poet who lived during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). He is known for his influential work, "The Elegance of Kwong's Poetry", which was widely studied and admired.

Another notable figure was Kwong Tai-Fung, a successful merchant and philanthropist who lived in the late 18th century. He established several schools and charitable organizations in his hometown of Guangzhou, leaving a lasting legacy of generosity and dedication to education.

In the 19th century, Kwong Hing-Fatt, a skilled architect, designed and oversaw the construction of several iconic buildings in Hong Kong, including the Old Supreme Court Building and the Flagstaff House Museum. His contributions to the city's architecture are still celebrated today.

Kwong Wah-Yuen, a renowned calligrapher and artist, was active during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD). His intricate brushwork and mastery of traditional Chinese calligraphy earned him widespread acclaim, and his works are highly valued by collectors and museums.

Lastly, Kwong Ching-Lin, a prominent politician and diplomat, played a pivotal role in the negotiations that led to the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1997. His efforts in maintaining stability and facilitating the transition of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to China were widely recognized.

These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname Kwong who have left their mark on history, spanning various fields such as literature, commerce, architecture, art, and diplomacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kwong surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kwong surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 298 in 2016. That gives Kwong a modern rank of #14,801.

What does the Kwong surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "broad, extensive, wide," or referring to a person from Guangdong or Guangxi provinces.

What does the Kwong map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kwong bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.